Reflecting hub cap



Feb. 3, 1931. H. w. sHRYocK REFLECTING HUB CAP Filed Dec. 22, 192e .m m1m m m m W w m H Patented Feb. 3, 1931 HARRY W. SHRYOCK, F SEATTLE,WASHINGTON aEFLEc'rINe HUB can `appucaami mea member. 22, 192s. serialNo. 327,777.

My presentv invention relates to improvef ments in reflecting hub capsdesigned especially for use with the wheels of automotive vehicles. Theleft front wheel of the vehicle is usually equippedwvith the device ofmy invention, but the right front wheel also, and the two lrear wheelsof the vehicle may also be equipped, if desired, with the reflecting hubcaps. f

In carrying lout my invention the hub is fashioned with reflectingsurfaces, disposed at such angles that as the wheel revolves, thesurfaces will receive and reflect light rays, in flashes7 that emanatefrom or are projecte from the headlightsof an approaching vehicle, inorder that the -driver of the approaching vehicle may properly locatethe position of the vehicle that is equipped with the re? fleeting hubcaps. l A

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements`of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed. In theaccompanyingv drawings I have illustrated several formsof the inventionin which the parts are combined and arranged'according to the best modesI have thus far devised for the practical application of the principlesof my invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of the left front wheel and related parts of anautomotive vehicle equipped with the device of my invention. I

Figure 2 is a face view of the standard type of hub cap having theangular'reflecting faces thereon and provided with a ker-f for use witha screw driver in attaching the cap to the hub. s

Figure is a side view of the'hub-cap of Figure 2 partly broken away forconven` ience of illustration. y Figure 4 is-a perspective view of a hubcap v provided with.- an attachable band carrying the reflectingsurfaces, partly broken away yfor convenience of illustration.

Figure 5 is an enlarged edge view of the hub cap ofFigure 1 broken awayto disclose the interior screw threads for coaction with threads on thehub.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another form of attachable devicecarried by the hub cap, and Figure 7 is a sectional detail view, as atline 7 7 of Figure 6. i

In order that the general relation and utility of parts/may readily beunderstood I' have shown in Figure 1 an automobile wheel W,

part of the front axle A and the hub H, the wheel being indicated as theleft front wheel of the vehicle'. i

In Figures 1 land 5 the hub cap 1 isprovided with the nut portion 2 ptowhich a wrench Imay be applied when theY screw threads 3 are beingturned on the hub H to` secure the hub cap in place. The hub cap is dfashionedwith a plurality of reflecting surfaces 4, arranged in anannular series, disposed at angles to each other, and the reflectingsurfaces are arranged in planes inclined with relation to the axialcenter line of the hub cap and wheel so that the light rays emanatingfrom a headlight carried by an approaching vehicle will strike thesurfaces as the wheel revolves and be reected for observation by thedriver of the approaching vehicle. As will be understood, theapproachingvehicle will be at the right of the wheel W, and the surfacesare disposed so. that, the 4 angle of incidence and the angle ofvreflection being equal, the light ray will be reflected in flashes asthe wheel equipped with the reflecting surfaces revolves.

AThe reflecting surfaces 4 are smooth, high- 1y polished, surfaces ofthe metallic hub cap, which may be maintained in condition forreflecting by rubbing with a suitable friction I device, or in othersuitable manner.

In Figures 2 and 3 the hub cap 5 has a series of reflecting faces 6,here shown as five in number, and a kerf 7 is provided in the outer faceof the cap fr the reception of a screw C driver by means of-which thethreads 3 may be turned or screwed onto the complementary threads ofythe hub. x `In some instances the device may be attached to the hubcap, as an' auxiliary device,

4 in suitable manner as disclosed in Figures 4,

6 and-7. In the modified form of Figure 4 the hub cap 8 is provided withan attachable cup9 adapted to be fitted over the outer portion of thecap, and this cup 'has a taperingvorv frusta-conical, annular flange 9ato' wh'iclia l series ot reiecting lates l() is attached in suitablemanner. l ese plates orm an annular serles of reectlng, polishedsurfaces,

here shown as four in number, but the num`1 ber may be increased ordecreased as desired..

The cup is fastened to the hub cap by means `of 'a central screvv llpassmg 'through complementary axial openings in the cup and cap, and aninner nut l2 is used to clamp the parts together.

lin Figures 6 and 7 the attachable and ree movable device is used with acap 13 hav-ing an exterior, annular ange or rib Maand at the inner andouter sides ot this annular ange a clamp ring as 15, 16, is arranged.'lhe rin s at their ends are fashioned with ears or oops 17 and screvvsor `bolts 18 pass through the pairs of ears to clamp the rin s about thehub cap. At suitable intervals tie straps 19 pass across the nnular4dangle i4, `with their ends looped around the respective rings to holdthemen thercap, and reflecting plates 20 are attached to the two rings.

These adjustable, removable, devlces oit Figures Al, 6, and 7, may, withfacility, be atc tached to the hub caps, the device oi Figure drequiring only that a hole be drilled in the outer wall of the hub capfor the accominodation of the screw ll. v

The removable, and attachable device of Figures 6 and 7, it will beapparent, maybe clamped on' any one of a number ot did'erent sizes ofhub caps, and il desired the device may be removed and replaced withfacility and convenience. f p

Having thus fully described my invention,

what ll claim asnevv and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A hubcap having on the periphery thereof an annular series of reectingsurfaces disposed atangles to each other, and each said surface alsodisposed at an angle to the axial center of the hub ca 2. Thecombination With-a hu cap, et an annular member and means for fasteningsaid member on the cap, and an annular series of reecting elementsmounted on the periphery of said member, said` elements disposed atangles to each other and also each said element disposed at an angle tothe axial center of the hub cap. -f v 3. The combination `With a hub caphaving an annular exterior Hange,of a pair ont clamp rings located atthe sides of the ange and fastening devices for the rings, tie strapsconnecting said rings, and an annular series of reecting plates mountedon said rings, said plates having rejeoting surfaces disposed at anglesone to anotler andalso dis posed at angles to the axial center of thehub cap.

In testimony whereof ll ax my signature.,

vlElAlltRY lV. SHRYGK.

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